The car glided smoothly along the dimly lit streets, the soft hum of the engine filling the otherwise quiet space between Ellen and Mason. Ellen sat next to him in the back seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she stared out the window, trying to keep her racing thoughts at bay. She could still feel the warmth of Mason’s gaze on her from earlier, the way his eyes had widened when he first saw her, and the way he had said she looked good.
Good. It wasn’t the kind of compliment that swept her off her feet, but it was something. And from Mason, it felt like more than just a passing remark. He wasn’t the type to throw around words lightly, so for him to say she looked good—it meant something, right? Ellen’s heart fluttered at the thought, her cheeks tingling with a soft blush. She tried to remind herself that good was, well, good. Maybe it wasn’t "stunning" or "beautiful," but it was better than him saying nothing at all.
She stole a glance at Mason from the corner of her eye, careful not to be too obvious. He was looking straight ahead, his expression composed and focused as always, but there was a certain softness to his features tonight. The sharp lines of his face, usually so serious, seemed less severe under the soft glow of the passing streetlights. His tuxedo fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders and tall frame, and Ellen couldn’t help but think about how handsome he looked tonight. Oh, gosh. Her heart skipped a beat just thinking about it.
She remembered the way he had stood up when she approached him earlier, his eyes locking onto hers as if he were seeing her for the first time. There was a moment, brief but undeniable, when it felt like the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them. It was a feeling Ellen hadn’t expected, and it left her both excited and terrified.
As they continued down the road, Ellen found herself fidgeting with the hem of her dress, her mind buzzing with nervous energy. She felt like she should say something, anything, to break the silence between them, but her thoughts were too tangled to form coherent words. Instead, she kept replaying the moment in her mind, trying to decipher the look in Mason’s eyes when he told her she looked good.
"What are you daydreaming about again?" Mason’s voice cut through her thoughts.
Ellen quickly looked up, meeting his gaze. His blue eyes were steady on hers, and she could see a flicker of curiousity in them. Had he noticed her nervousness? She bit her lip, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"No, nothing," she replied, her voice softer than she intended.
As the car smoothly came to a stop in front of the grand hotel, Ellen’s heart was still fluttering from the warmth of Mason’s words. Ellen’s gaze lifted from her lap, taking in the grandeur of the building before her.
Mason exited the car first, his movements graceful and assured, as though this world of elegance and refinement was his natural habitat Ellen watched him from inside the car, her nerves tingling as she saw him straighten to his full height. He looked every bit the part—tall, refined, and undeniably handsome. As she gathered her thoughts and prepared to step out, the driver opened her door, and she was met with the cool evening air, a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside the vehicle.
As Ellen placed her foot on the pavement, she was momentarily caught off guard by Mason’s sudden proximity. He was already standing beside her, his hand extended in a courteous manner, offering his arm. There was something almost old-fashioned about the way he did it, yet it felt perfectly natural—like a scene from a classic movie brought to life.
"Shall we?" Mason asked, his voice soft yet steady, as though he was offering her more than just his arm. His blue eyes were calm, but they held a depth that made Ellen feel as though she was the only person in the world he was focused on at that moment.
Ellen’s heart fluttered once more as she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, feeling the firmness of his muscles beneath the fabric of his tuxedo. His warmth seeped into her, calming her amidst the storm of feelings swirling inside. She glanced up at him, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush, and nodded with a shy smile. "Let’s go," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Together, they walked up the steps and into the hotel’s grand lobby. Guests in elegant gowns and tailored suits mingled about, their laughter and chatter adding to the lively atmosphere. Ellen felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as they made their way through the crowd, aware of the occasional glance thrown their way.
The hotel’s grandeur didn’t end in the lobby. As they continued to the ballroom, Ellen found herself in awe of the sheer opulence that surrounded them.
The walls were adorned with gold accents, and the ceilings soared high above, painted with delicate frescoes that depicted scenes of myth and legend. Crystal chandeliers sparkled like stars, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The guests here were equally dazzling, their outfits a vibrant mix of hues and fabrics that signaled luxury and refinement. It was a world Ellen had never quite felt a part of, yet here she was, walking into it on Mason’s arm.
Once they had signed the guest book, they moved toward the seating cards arranged neatly on a nearby table. Ellen felt a surge of excitement as she scanned the table, searching for their names among the rows of cards.
Mason’s name stood out to her almost immediately. As she reached out to pick it up, her fingers brushed against another hand. The unexpected contact caused her to pause, and she quickly withdrew her hand, startled. She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise as she found herself face-to-face with...
"Edrick?"